Name: Meghan Nichol

Instructions: Now that you have proven that there is a problem, you must research possible solutions to the problem. You must turn in this research sheet completed with two articles attached that show possible solutions and why they would work

III. There are many possible solutions to this problem. The possible solutions are: (Two articles must be attached and annotated bibliography)

A very popular solution to helping stop secondhand smoke is smoking bans in offices, public transportation, beaches, and public buildings. Workplaces are the most common places that are making these bans; about 39% of the U.S. population now has a smoke-free workplace (Smoking Bans 1). In the United States there are 2,103 cities and 5,700 municipalities have formed smoking bans to protect citizens from secondhand smoke (Smoking Bans 1). The public wants to cut back on the amount of secondhand smoke because secondhand smoke causes 35,000 heart-disease deaths adn 3,000 lung-cancer related deaths (Smoking Bans 1). If smokers are having a hard time quitting nicotine gum and patches are available at local drugstores; doctors are even able to give perscriptions for nicotine inhalers and nasal spray (Smoking Bans 3). This will hopefully help cut back on the amount of preventable deaths in America related to smoking. People who quit even admit that now that they no longer have the cigarette toxins entering their bodies they are able to breathe easier and everything smells and tastes better (Smoking Bans 4). Medical bills of companies around the country are dropping because now employers are willing to pay for programs to help their employees stop smoking. These programs are referred to as smoking cessation. These programs are costing about $900 as compared to $16,000 for medical bills (Seeking Savings 2). Many of these programs also include counseling sessions available for the employees.

IV. The solution I (we) propose is: (This section will become your proposed legislation. Be sure to include what agency will implement your law, proposed cost if any and effective date)

I propose that there be a nation-wide ban of smoking in all workplaces. Also, there will be restrictions and requirements as to which restaurants and bars are able to have smoking areas. The Department of Health and Human Services will be in charge of enforcing these requirements. Some examples of the restrictions will be ventilation of said smoking area, some sort of wall or separation between the smokers and nonsmokers. There will also be a size limit as to how big an establishment will be able to make their smoking area. This law will be enacted on January 1, 2012.

V. I (we) think this solution will work because: (You must use factual information to prove your solution will work)

With smoking bans implemented, people are beginning to feel healthier and better. "'It's like having a whole new body in your 30s,' said Mim Long a successful quitter" (Smoking Bans 4). Also, within the past 40 years the amount of people smoking as been cut in half due to the help of smoking bans and work programs (Smoking Bans 3). With these bans in public areas, medical bills will be smaller because not as many people will be exposed to the secondhand smoke.


Brogan, Pamela. "Smoking Bans Become More Popular to Curb Effects of Secondhand Smoke." Gannett News Service. Dec. 28 2005: n.p. SIRS Researcher. Web. 18 Feb 2011.

Freudenheim, Milt. "Seeking Savings, Employers Help Smokers Quit." New York Times (New York, NY). Oct. 26 2007: A1+. SIRS Researcher. Web. 18 Feb 2011.